Tejeda Center garners federal funds, opens three new offices

The Frank M. Tejeda Center for Environmental Excellence has received additional funding from the Environmental Protection Agency and opened three new offices along the Texas-Mexico border.

The center, which is headquartered in San Antonio, was established to improve public health and reduce pollution in economically distressed areas of the border region. Its goal is to enhance the effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of water/wastewater utility operations through training, technical assistance and technology transfer to communities on both sides of the border.

The EPA recently awarded another $1 million to the center, bringing the total funding to $2 million for its first three years of operation.

On Jan. 25, Tejeda Center Director Beth Eby and other staff members met with Texas Secretary of State Gwyn Shea in Austin. Shea, who was appointed by Gov. Rick Perry in December, is the governor’s liaison on border and Mexican affairs.

Two offices are operating in other border states, through Tejeda Center partners, Southwest Technology Development Institute at New Mexico State University and Arizona State Environmental Technology Training Center at Pima Community College.

The Tejeda Center has opened three offices in Texas-Mexico border areas: El Paso, Laredo and Mercedes.